Not even the widest draw for the third start in succession could stop Cardinal Gem from making a dramatic class ride at Caulfield.
A Flemington winner last month, Cardinal Gem was making the jump from Benchmark 70 grade to a Listed race in the Weekend Hussler on Saturday.
Snagged back to last early in the 1400m contest, Cardinal Gem swept up widest on the home turn in what had been a slowly run contest to take the lead half-way down the Caulfield straight.
Ridden by Jordan Childs, Cardinal Gem ($6.50) defeated the leader Morvada ($26) by three-quarters-of-a-length with Jimmy The Bear ($6.50) a long neck away third.
Trainer Grahame Begg said when the speed came out of the race around the 700m mark that he was a little concerned, however his mood had changed by the time the field had reached the home turn when he was within striking distance.
“He sustained a good, long run down the middle of the track. Very deserved,” Begg said.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival now awaits Cardinal Gem with Begg eyeing off the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes (1400m) on the opening day.
“It’s also a handicap. Hopefully his rating will go up and he’ll get into that race,” Begg said.
“But he’s got a decent race in him, this horse. I don’t know if it is this year, maybe next year.”
Childs said Cardinal Gem was deserving of the success he is now achieving having run into his share of mixed fortune during his younger days.
“It is good to see him starting to get some results,” Childs said.
“I ended up a fair way back than I wanted to be but when the pace came out of it on the side I elected to pop out and try and get myself a bit closer.
“That probably ended up being the winning move in the end.”